How technology is improving senior care and healthcare access

Balancing work and care responsibilities can be tough for caregivers of older adults and Somchai, 61, a motorcycle taxi driver is no exception. But thanks to a remote monitoring system, he’s free from worries while serving his customers.

Meanwhile, the device helps maintain his mother's health and safety.

“It eases a lot of my stress,” he says, adding that his mother stays home alone when he goes to work and his children go to school.

Somchai installed a CCTV system, which is backed by Ratchaphiphat Hospital, at his house in Bangkok’s Phasi Charoen District, which is connected to his smartphone and the hospital’s monitoring center, allowing them to monitor his mother’s movements and alert them to potential falls and emergencies.

“My mother is vulnerable. We need to keep her safe and prevent her from falling,” he explains.

Somchai’s mother, now 87, fell and broke her hip a few years ago. She underwent hip replacement surgery to ease pain and restore mobility.

The surgery was successful and rehab helped her regain function.

However, she was unable to return to the same level of activity and independence following the fracture, a serious injury that’s frequent in older adults.

She now uses a walker that offers additional support to stand and walk.

“When I’m free, I see what my mother is doing via my phone to ensure that she’s safe,” Somchai says.

On one occasion, his mother cried out for help due to a terrible headache. He immediately called the community’s health volunteer to check on his mother.

A basic physical check found that her blood pressure was very high. The elderly lady was taken by the care team to the hospital for a thorough examination.

A doctor who performed the check-up said his mother had suffered a mild stroke.

“We’re so lucky that the team could quickly respond. The system is very useful,” he says.

Somchai’s story is one example of how the remote monitoring system service is helping keep older adults safe in their homes while family members are absent.

Free of charge, the system and the service are sponsored by Ratchaphiphat Hospital, which is committed to using technology to strengthen care and health services and make them accessible to all, including those in need.

Helping the helpers

The remote monitoring service for the elderly was launched in 2023 to help family caregivers, particularly in low-income families, watch over their aging members, making them safe in their homes, while maintaining their independence.

It’s part of the hospital’s family caregiver support program.

“Most older adults have mobility and cognitive problems, making them prone to accidents and falls. Many aging parents stay home alone when their children are at work. So, we step in to help,” said Dr. Puritat Sangtongpanichkul, director of Ratchaphiphat Hospital, a public facility in Bang Khae district.

Photo: Dr Puritat Sangtongpanichkul

Operated by the Medical Service Department under Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, it now serves more than 1 million people.

According to the doctor, this complimentary service involves setting up CCTV at older adults’ houses, which is linked to a family caregiver’s smartphone and/or the hospital’s monitoring center.

This technology-enabled system allows the caregiver and the hospital’s care team to track them remotely, around the clock, in real-time from their home environment to ensure they receive prompt care when needed.

The main source of budget for setting up the devices comes from the hospital’s foundation, Dr. Puritat noted.

He shared a case of an aging lady who often stayed home alone when her son was at the office. One day, camera footage showed that the mother didn’t get out of bed for her usual lunch.

A member of the hospital’s care team rushed to her house.

A check found she was drowsy and fatigued. She was taken to the hospital for a blood sample that revealed that her sodium level was low, which can lead to serious complications when left untreated.

“If we find something wrong, we can intervene quickly before medical concerns escalate. This helps reduce emergency room visits and hospital stays, which in turn cuts the hospital’s costs and reduces the burden of medical personnel,” he said.

The majority of people signing up for the service are suffering from dementia, have mobility limitations or are bedridden.

The service is provided only with the consent of the elderly themselves or their family members, with users able to disable the cameras at any time for privacy.

In the pilot phase of the program, the hospital has provided the remote monitoring service to older adults and family caregivers living in six districts, namely Bang Khae, Nong Kham, Thawi Wattana, Phasi Charoen, Bang Bon and Taling Chan.

Making services available to all

In addition to the service, the hospital offers non-emergency transport services for older adults who find it difficult to walk as well as physically challenged people and individuals whose conditions mean they may need additional support while travelling.

The transport service is in high demand, Dr. Puritat said, urging people who wish to use it to make a reservation in advance.

To provide easy access and promote equality, the hospital has also set up mobile clinics in nearby communities including in Seacon Square, Bang Khae branch, Thonburi Market or the so-called Sanam Luang 2, community mall Victoria Garden and a space in front of Nong Kham District Office.

Each clinic is equipped with tools that are used to measure health and necessary devices for virtual doctor visits. A nurse is always put on stand-by to draw patients’ blood when needed to help diagnose problems and monitor chronic disease. A blood sample will be sent to the hospital’s lab for analysis.

“For example, the disabled person can use the mass rapid transit system to receive a service at the hospital’s clinic at Seacon Square’s Bang Khae branch. If needed, a nurse can collect your blood at the clinic. You wait there for the results. You can have a video call with the hospital’s doctor. And a doctor can manage your prescription online. Medications can be delivered right to your home when you need it. It’s convenient,” he said.

Technology: a game-changer for healthcare

Dr. Puritat noted the hospital is committed to improving healthcare through technology in response to the increasing demand for health services and the rise of public health awareness.

The hospital uses its Line Official Account @1RPP as a communication channel, which provides easy access to initial consultation, health-related information and registration to receive complimentary healthcare.

“You can sign up for the remote monitoring service, make a reservation for the transport service or even see your physical-check-up results through the hospital’s Line OA. It’s a handy tool,” he said, urging people to take advantage of technology that brings convenience and comfort to them.

Currently, some 400-500 people use the channel to communicate with the hospital on a daily basis. Over 350,000 people have added the Line account as their friends, with over 80,000 active users. They often use it for asking questions about health problems and checking for their rights to medical services.

“Technology is truly changing the way we care for patients and making healthcare more accessible,” Dr. Puritat said.

For more information about the hospital’s remote monitoring service for the elderly, add the hospital’s Line Official Account at @1RPP.